UNICEF Assists 3,000 Nigerian Schools In 5 Years

The United Nations Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the Federal Government, has provided assistance to about 3,000 schools in Nigeria in the last five years.

UNICEF Chief of WASH, Dr Jane Bevan, disclosed this when she paid a courtesy visit to the minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, in Abuja.

She gave insights into the Federal Government and UNICEF WASH programmes in Nigeria from 2018 to date, noting that the direct and indirect impact of the FGN-UNICEF WASH programme, spans over 250 LGAs directly and approximately 400 LGAs indirectly across 26 States.

She recalled that since 2018, notable achievements in the country included the construction and rehabilitation of over 1,700 solar-powered motorised boreholes, over 10,000 hand pump boreholes, support for ODF local government areas, and providing access to safe drinking water sources for an estimated 12 million people.

Additionally, over 24 million people have gained access to basic sanitation services, with approximately 2,000 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and 3,000 schools equipped with complete WASH facilities.

Responding, the Minister of Water Resources reaffirmed the Federal Government’s dedication to continuing its partnership with UNICEF to enhance the implementation of WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) policies at the grassroots levels nationwide.

He highlighted ongoing consultations with state governments and investors to leverage the WASH sector’s value chain, emphasising the need for robust collaboration with UNICEF to expand projects to grassroots communities.

He underscored the crucial significance of achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2030 targets for WASH projects across Nigeria and ensuring maximum benefits for the populace.

The minister disclosed that preparations were underway for the WASH Sustainability Check meeting to develop a WASH Action Plan with the 36 States and FCT commissioners in charge of Water Resources and Sanitation.

Prof. Utsev also maintained that efforts were in top gear for the implementation of WASHNORM IV Survey and urged all relevant stakeholders and supervising directors to hasten the process with the National Bureau of Statistics.

Present at the meeting were permanent secretary of the ministry, Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Shinkafi; Jonathan Ekhator of UNICEF as well as directors in the ministry.